Anteprima: Claimed by the Laird by Nicola Cornick

He will expose her as the criminal he seeks, or seduce her as the woman he desires…

An old maid—that's all Lady Christina McMorlan, daughter to the Duke of Forres, is to society now that she's past thirty. She hosts her father's parties and cares for her siblings, knowing she'll never have her own home and family. She has no time to pine, however. By night, she's The Lady, head of a notorious whiskey-smuggling gang that supports her impoverished clan. They're always one step ahead of the revenue man—until Lucas Black shows up.

Rejecting his title and the proper society that disparaged his mother, Lucas earns his living running a successful gambling house. He's also a spy, charged with bringing down the Forres Gang. He thinks The Lady's just a bored society spinster. She thinks he's a lost child playing at rebellion. And when the truth comes out, it's not just their love on the line…

The stories and female protagonists are always intriguing in this series by Nicola Cornick: Scottish Brides, in which Claimed by the Laird is the third book.

Lady Christina should be only a lonely woman no more young, according to the custom of the time,  the classic spinster, dedicated in caring for the needs of her family, after the death of her mother. The good and dear Christina, which doesn't strike at first sight because of her beauty and on which all count for her reliability. Few know actually about her secret life, perhaps from this point of view,  the members of her clan know more about her, and also who live in the village or her servants, they all know that the woman is the head of a gang of smugglers of whisky, while her family members are unaware of everything.

It isn't boredom or the need for adventure that has pushed her to make this choice, but the desperate need for money of ordinary people and the habit of these smugglers to use excessively violent methods, while thanks to her presence they manage to remain within acceptable limits.

Lucas could be a Prince, he's anglo-russian, he could be, because he is an illegitimate child, his childhood was anything but happy because of prejudice of aristocrats and now he refuses to be a part of that world, he's grown up and his title and his money would be very welcome. He also has his secrets when he met  Lady Christina in disguise, to be taken as part of the service staff, and carry out his mission.

Lucas with his character is definitely notoghe best choice for the part, too accustomed tgene respected and he always likes to have the last word and Lady Christina isn't so  weak and conciliatory as everyone seems to think.

Lucas discovers Lady Christina's secret and this complicates their relationships.  Both if them feel a deep attraction for each other, but they fight against it for different reasons. She could be the instigator of the murder of Lucas' brother,  while he  younger than Lady Christina , more beautiful and without money. An affair with her employee would give rise to a scandal, that the woman can't afford , she must avoid attentions, which she has managed to do in all these years.

The exchanges of banter between Lucas and Christina are fun, thanks to the man irreverence and ability to cause reactions in Christina, which almost always go beyond ladylike and compassate responses. Lucas is very good at "reading" people and interpreting their reactions and he needs to understand who is really Lady Christina: is she the woman who cares about everything and everyone, with a deep sense of Justice or is she a cold and ruthless person who hides behind a facade?

A nice story with two protagonists unique and an excellent plot, written very well in its romance, very passionate, and enriched by the mystery linked to death of Lucas's brother.  There are both the point of views of the two protagonists, and these is great for these characters so complex, it helps to understand better their behavior and reactions and empathize with them.

I loved both of them, Christina and Lucas, they're perfect for each other, very different, but together they're a lovely couple.

 Scottish Bride became one of my favourite historical romance series, along with its author.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the kind preview.

RATING: 4 stars

TITLE: Claimed by the Laird

AUTHOR: Nicola Cornick

SERIES: Scottish Brides #3

PULISHER: Harlequin

PUBLICATION DATE: July 2014, 29